University of Duhok

College of Engineering
Department of Civil Engineering

Rapid Method of Concrete Mix Design

2021-2022
By

Alend Hamdi Majeed

Osama Azad Jameel

Araz Nizhyar Najeeb

Alind Fatah Hassan

Peyam Mohammed Mohammed Tahir

Supervised by

Asst. Prof. Ghanim H. Qocha

Submitted to the Department of Civil Engineering as a partial

fulfillment of the requirements for the [Link]. in Civil Engineering
Program

May 2022
APPROVAL

The Department of Civil Engineering at the College of Engineering, University of

Duhok has approved this final year project. The project is submitted in partial
fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Civil
Engineering for the academic year 2021-2022.

Project Superviser

Signature

Name:

Projects committee representative

Signature

Name:

Head of the Department Civil Engineering

Signature

Name:

Date: 29/4/2022

i
DECLARATION

We (Alend, Osama, Araz, Alind and Peyam) the students, the authors of this
graduation project signed hereunder, declare that this report contains only work
completed by ourselves except for information obtained in a legitimate way from
literature, companies, institutions, or university sources. All information from
these other sources has been duly referenced and acknowledged in accordance
with the University of Duhok Policy on Plagiarism.

Name Signature

Student 1 Alend Hamdi Majeed

Student 2 Osama Azad Jameel
Student 3 Araz Nizhyar Najeeb
Student 4 Alind Fatah Hassan
Student 5 Peyam Mohammed Mohammed Tahir

Date: 29/4/2022

ii
VALIDATION OF THE PROJECT

We the students, the authors of the graduation project signed hereunder, declare
that this said project shall be placed officially in the library of the Department of
Civil Engineering with the abiding interest and rights as follows:

1. This Project is the sole legal property of University of Duhok.

2. The University of Duhok has the lawful right to make copies of the Project
for the purpose of academic and research purposes.
3. The University of Duhok has the lawful right to digitalize the content for
the local content database.
4. No dispute or any claim shall arise from the student himself neither third
party on this Project once it becomes the sole property of the University of
Duhok.
5. This Project or any material, data and information related to it shall not be
distributed, published or disclosed to any party by the student except with
the University of Duhok.

Students’ Name and signatures’

Name Signature
Student 1 Alend Hamdi Majeed
Student 2 Osama Azad Jameel
Student 3 Araz Nizhyar Najeeb
Student 4 Alind Fatah Hassan
Student 5 Peyam Mohammed Mohammed Tahir

Supervisor’s Name and signature

Date: __/__/_____

iii
DEDICATION

This project is dedicated to our lovely families who have supported us from the
beginning of our journey and continue to support us till now. It is dedicated to our
teachers who have supported us in the practical works especially Mr. Sabah and
Mr. Youkhanna, and to all the other teachers and doctors in the Department of
Civil Engineering.

iv
ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Many thanks to our supervisor Mr. Ghanim for his patience, guidance, and
support for helping us to achieve our goal and implement this project, without his
support and information we could not have done any of the work. We are
extremely grateful that you have took us as students and has faith in us for
preparing this project.

v
ABSTRACT

Since the quality of concrete is calculated in terms of 28 - day compressive

strength and this period is too long for either quality control of concrete
construction or applying timely corrective measures particularly in today’s fast
construction practices. Therefore, it was found necessary to predict the strength of
concrete within few hours instead of waiting 28 days by using accelerated curing
methods.

Based on the above, the present project aims at using boiling water method to
study the accelerated strength behavior and to present a correlation between
accelerated strength and both 7 and 28 - days strength.

Five mixes were designed by ACI method of different strengths, and tried using
two types of coarse aggregate having a slump range of (50 - 100) mm. The test
results showed that:

1- A good correlation has been obtained between the accelerated curing

compressive strength and 7 - day and 28 - day strengths.

2- Generally speaking, the ratio of the accelerated strength to the 7 - day strength
is always higher than that of the accelerated strength to the 28 - day strength.

vi
CONTENT
Approval I
Declaration II
Validation of the Project III
Dedication IV
Acknowledgment V
Abstract VI
List of Figures VIII
List of Tables VIII
1 Introduction 1
1.1 Overview 2
1.2 Accelerated Curing Test 3
1.3 Objectives of the Project 4
2 Review of Literature 5
3 Experimental Investigation 9
3.1 Materials Used 10
3.1.1 Cement 10
3.1.2 Fine Aggregate (Sand) 10
3.1.3 Coarse Aggregate (Gravel) 11
3.1.4 Mixing Water 12
3.2 Experimental Program 12
3.2.1 Choice of Mixes 13
3.2.2 Mix Design by ACI Method 14
3.2.3 Preparing, Curing, and Testing the Specimens 16
3.2.4 Boiling Water Procedure 16
4 Discussion of Results 18
4.1 Overview 19
4.2 Experimental Results 19
4.3 Effect of the Type of Course Aggregate 20
4.4 Effect of Cement Content of the Mix 25
4.5 Regression Equations 27
5 Conclusions and Recommendations 28
5.1 conclusions 29
5.2 Recommendations 29

vii
LIST OF FIGURES

(Figure 3.1) Cement 10

(Figure 3.2) Normal Gravel 12
(Figure 3.3) Crushed Gravel 12
(Figure 3.4) Fine Aggregate 12
(Figure 3.5) Oven 17
(Figure 3.6) Sieve 17
(Figure 3.7) Materials 17
(Figure 3.8) Cubes 17
(Figure 3.9) Shaker 17
(Figure 3.10) Air Compressor 17
(Figure 3.11) Compressive Strength Test Machine 17
(Figure 4.1) Relation between accelerated compressive strength and 22
7day compressive strength (normal gravel)
(Figure 4.2) Relation between accelerated compressive strength and 22
28day compressive strength (normal gravel)
(Figure 4.3) Relation between accelerated compressive strength and 23
7day compressive strength (crushed gravel)
(Figure 4.4) Relation between accelerated compressive strength and 23
28day compressive strength (crushed gravel)
(Figure 4.5) Relation between accelerated /normal curing strength and 26
cement content (normal gravel)
(Figure 4.6) Relation between accelerated /normal curing strength and 26
cement content (crushed gravel)

viii
LIST OF TABLES

(Table 3.1) Grading of Fine Aggregate 11

(Table 3.2) Grading of Coarse Aggregate 11
(Table 3.3) Designed Mixes 13
(Table 4.1) Compressive strength results for normal aggregate 19
(Table 4.2) Compressive strength results for crushed aggregate 20
(Table 4.3) Ratio of Acc/normal strength for normal aggregate 24
(Table 4.4) Ratio of Acc/normal strength for crushed aggregate 24
(Table 4.5) Regression Equations 27

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

Abbreviation Definition
ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials
ACI American Concrete Institute
MAS Maximum Aggregate Size
CA Coarse Aggregate
FA Fine Aggregate
Acc Accelerated

ix
 Chapter 1
Introduction

1
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Overview

Concrete is one of the most important and used material in building

construction. The current practice for determining the quality acceptance criteria
for the concrete set by all specifications is mainly based on compressive strength
at 28-day. The faster speed of the current concrete construction, the quality criteria
seem to be a major issue. The 28-day is to long period for a constructor to wait for
the results of the trial mix. Therefore, to reduce the time required for trial mixes,
a rapid method was developed, and the compressive strength of concrete is
obtained by using accelerated curing method. The 28-day compressive strength of
concrete is found to be statistically significantly related to its accelerated strength.

The accelerated curing methods enable the engineers to predict the compressive
strength of concrete within few hours or days instead of waiting 28-days. The
methods imply accelerated curing of the control specimens which is done by
increasing the rate of hydration of cement so that it hardens more rapidly and
attains sufficient strength in a very short time.

2
1.2 Accelerated Curing Test:

Curing is the process of controlling the rate and extent of moisture loss from
concrete during cement hydration, in order to obtain good quality concrete, an
approximate mix must be followed by curing in a suitable environment during the
early 8 stages of hardening (Neville, 2011).

Curing must be undertaken for a reasonable period if concrete is to achieve its

potential strength and durability. The term accelerated curing denotes or means of
achieving rapid gain of compressive strength at an early stage.

The accelerated test covers several procedures for making curing and testing
specimens of the concrete stored under conditions intended to accelerate the
development of strength.

The techniques available include the use of heat or the introduction of admixtures
and these techniques are especially useful in the prefabrication industry, where in
high early age strength enables the removal of the frame work within 24 hours,
thereby reducing the cycle time, resulting in cost saving benefits.

The most commonly adopted accelerated cuing techniques are:

1- Steam curing at atmospheric pressure.

2- Warm water curing.

3- Boiling water curing and autoclaving.

In the present study, the boiling water method is used.

3
1.3 Objectives of the project:

The main objectives of the present project are as follows:

1- To predict the 7 days and 28-days compressive strength with a short period
after casting.

2- To determine the effect of using different local aggregate on accelerated

curing.

3- To develop equations or graphs for predicting compressive strength from

the results of the accelerated tests of both 7 and 28-days strength of concrete.

4- The results obtained from the present work will be useful for local ready
mix concrete plants and for engineers to determine the quality of concrete
without waiting a long time that affects the progress of construction.

4
 Chapter 2
Review of Literature

5
2 REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Different research workers have suggested different curing medium and

curing cycles to obtain the accelerated strength of concrete on the basis of which
28-days strength can be predicted with an adequate reliability.

The early work was done in the United States between 1925 and 1935. Then a
number of research papers dealing with rapid control tests originated in the United
Kingdom (Akroyd, 1961). In 1955 king developed an accelerated strength test
for concrete using oven heat as the curing medium. In 1961, Akroyd developed
a procedure called (modified boiling water procedure) and in this method, the
specimens are cast, cured and placed in normal curing at 20C ̊. After 24 hours the
specimens are immersed in boiling water for 3.5 hours and then removed, cooled
and tested. The method was selected by American Society for Testing Material
(ASTM C684-03) as a tentative method for making accelerated testing of concrete.

Malhova and Zoldners (1969) used the modified water procedure in developing
a relationship of accelerated and 28-days strength from combined field data. They
reported that the method is an excellent mean for rapid strength determination of
concrete and its used by the concrete industry is recommended.

Nagoraja and Anan (1977) used the modified boiling water procedure for
predicting the 28-day compressive strength of concrete during the construction of
reinforced concrete silos in India.

6
Nai (1979) made some variation on the modified boiling water procedure for
quality control of concrete for small and large projects. The new procedure was
found to be more suitable than (ASTM) procedure.

He studied the effect of type of cement on the accelerated strength with some
variation, as follows:

1- Delay period of specimens of 19 hours before immersing in the boiling

water.

2- Boiling period of specimens was 4 hours.

3- Water temperature during the curing was (96±2) C and cooling period
before testing was 1 hour.

Muzhir and Ghani (1979) used three types of standard mix with five different
water cement ratios. The specimens were kept for 5 hours in boiling water, then
cooled for 1 hour and tested.

A good linear relationship appeared between 28-day and accelerated compressive

strength; 𝑅28 = 2𝑅𝑎𝑐𝑐 + 40

Where the strength is in (kg / cm2).

7
Resheidat and Gharmat (1997) studied on using the boiling water procedure to
evaluate the concrete quality made of local materials with particular emphasis on
the use of blended cements, and they concluded that boiling water.

Shelke and Gadve (2013) prepared 90 specimens of standard cubes of size 150 *
150 mm cast and tested the three parameters age of curing (7, 28-days compressive
strength and accelerated compressive strength by boiling water method). They
concluded that both strength the normal compressive strength and accelerated
strength achieve the target strength.

Askari, etal, (2014) performed a study on boiling accelerated curing procedures

to determining the compressive strength of accelerated curing concrete test
specimens, to find typical relative strength of concrete. The predicted equation for
M20 and M30 grades of concrete was: -

R28 = 0.47 Ra +20.7

Where: R28 = 28-day compressive strength (MPa)

Ra = Accelerated curing strength (MPa).

8
 Chapter 3
Experimental Investigation

9
3 EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION

3.1- Materials used:

This section will provide information on the properties of the ingredient used
throughout this project. They were locally available materials including fine
aggregate, coarse aggregate, cement and water. No admixtures were used.

3.1.1 Cement:

Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) (Sulaymaniyah) was used according to Iraqi

specification (IQS, No.5, 1984).

Figure (3.1) Cement

3.1.2 Fine aggregate (sand):

The fine aggregate used was locally available in Duhok region, it’s of river type
and it’s grading conformed to ASTM specification as shown in table (3.1).

It has specific gravity of (2.49) and dry-raddled unit weight of (2.5) kg/m3

10
 Table (3.1): Grading of fine aggregate.

Sieve Number % Passing ASTM specification

No.4 100 95-100
No.8 82 80-100
No.16 75 50-85
No.30 61 24-60
No.50 29 10-30
No.100 7 02-10

3.1.3 Coarse aggregate (Gravel):

Two types of coarse aggregate were used. The first one is normal gravel of rounded
and irregular shape, maximum size is 20 mm and its conformed to ASTM
specification as shown in Table (3.2). It has specific gravity of (2.68) and dry-
rodded unit weight of (2.7) kg/m3.

The second one is crushed coarse aggregate of maximum size (20mm). it has
specific gravity of (2.65) and dry-rodded unit weight of (2.6) kg/m3. It’s grading
also conformed to ASTM specification.

Table (3.2): Grading of coarse aggregate

Sieve size(mm) Normal %passing Crushed ASTM

%passing specification
37.5 100 100 95-100
20 76 83 35-70
10 10 16 10-30
5 0.5 1 0-5

11
 Figure (3.2) Normal Gravel Figure (3.3) Crushed Gravel

Figure (3.4) Fine Aggregate

3.1.4 Mixing water: Ordinary tap water was used for both mixing and curing the
specimen.

3.2-Experimental program:
The experimental program of this work consists mainly of tests performed for both
fresh and hardened concrete to find the correlation between normal curing strength
and accelerated curing strength considering the boiling water method.

12
3.2.1 Choice of mixes:

Fine mixes at fine strength levels were designed initially, according to the ACI
method (211.1, 1991) at a constant degree of workability expressed as slump of
(50-100 mm). The main characteristics of these mixes are listed in the (Table 3.3).

Table (3.3): Designed Mixes

Mix Minimum Mix W/C Cement

No. Strength Properties content
(Mpa) Kg/m3
M1 20 1 : 2.54 : 3.14 0.65 315

M2 25 1 : 2.29 : 2.91 0.60 340

M3 30 1 : 1.97 : 2.60 0.54 380

M4 35 1 : 1.61 : 2.27 0.47 435

M5 40 1 : 1.41 : 2.08 0.43 475

13
3.2.2 Mix design by ACI method:

Sample at calculations:

Characteristic strength = 20 MPa (cube)

• For cylinder = 16 MPa

Mean strength fm = 𝐹𝑚𝑖𝑛 + K.S

Take standard deviation = 4 and K = 1.64

Then f mean = 16 + 1.64 X 4 = 22.6 = 23 MPa

Slump = 50 – 100 mm and MAS = 20 mm

Referring to (ACI Manual of Concrete Practice 2000, Part 1: Materials and

General Properties of Concrete.)

1- From table (3) w/c = 0.65

2- Mixing water from table (2), for 20mm MAS and 50 – 100mm slump
205
and Non air concrete is 205 kg/m3 then cement content = = 315
0.65
kg/m3
3- From table (4), F.M = 2.8, volume of oven dry coarse aggregate is
0.62 then the weight of CA = 0.62 * 1600 = 992 kg/m3 and air content
= 2%
4- From table (5), first estimate of non – air concrete = 2345 kg/m3.
315
Volume of cement = = 100 x 10-3
3.15𝑥1000

205
Volume of water = = 205 x 10-3
1𝑥1000

992
Volume of CA = = 367 x 10-3
2.7 𝑥 1000

Air = 2%

14
V cement + V water + V ca + V air = 692 * 10-3

Volume of sand (FA) = (1000 – 692) * 10-3= 308 * 10-3 and weight of (FA) = 308
* 2.6 = 800 kg/m3

Now: mix proportions are: -

Cement 315 kg/m3 1: 2.54: 3.14/0.65

Water 205 kg/m3

CA 990 kg/m3

FA 800 kg/m3

Main characteristics of designed mixes

Mix No. Minimum Mix W/C Cement

strength * proportions content
N/𝑚𝑚2 kg/𝑚3
M1 20 1:2.54: 3.14 0.65 315

M2 25 1:2.29: 2.91 0.60 340

M3 30 1:1.97: 2.60 0.54 380

M4 35 1:1.61: 2.27 0.47 435

M5 40 1:1.41: 2.08 0.43 475

MAS = 20 mm, and slump = 50 – 100 mm

* Minimum strength of cube (standard)

15
3.2.3) Preparing, curing, and testing the specimens:

For each mix, the specimens (cubes 150*150*150 mm) were cast, cured and tested
in compression as follow:

• Two cubes were normally cured and tested at the age of 7 days.
• Two cubes were normally cured and tested at the age of 28 days.
According to BS 1881; part 111,1983 and part 116

• Two cubes were subjected to the process of accelerated curing (boiling

water method) and at the end of accelerated curing period they were tested
for compressive strength.

3.2.4) Boiling Water procedure:

The standard concrete cubes are cast, and the mold specimens were kept in the
laboratory at a temperature of 21 ± 6 ℃ for 24 hours. the specimens placed in the
water tank, the temperature of water should be maintained at the time of immersion
and throughout the curing period at boiling stage. the specimens should be
removed from the boiling water after being cured for 3.5 hours and allow to be
cooled at room temperature for ( 30 minutes − 1 hour), then tested in
compression.

The total period is 28.5 hours ± 15 minutes .

16
 LABORATORY WORK FIGURES

Figure (3.5) Oven Figure (3.6) Sieve’s

Figure (3.7) Materials Figure (3.8) Cubes

Figure (3.9) Shaker Figure (3.10) Air Compressor Figure (3.11) Compressive
Strength Test Machine
17
 Chapter 4
Discussion of Results

18
 4 DISCUSSION OF RESULTS

4.1 OVERVIEW

This chapter presents the discussion of results obtained throughout the

present work, it includes the effect of course aggregate type and the effect of
cement content upon the results.

4.2 EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS

The specimen used throughout the project were standard cubes. They were
prepared under laboratory conditions using the designed mixes. Two types of
course aggregate (normal and crushed) and one type of fine aggregate have been
used in the present study.
The results of the accelerated, the 7- Day and the 28 – day normally cured
compressive strength are presented in tables (4.1 and 4.2).
Table (4.1): compressive strength results, (normal gravel)

Mix Mix W/C Cement Cube compressive strength fcu

no. proportions Ratio content(kg/m3) (MPa)
Acc.(Boiling) 7 days 28 days
Mix 1:2.54:3.14 0.65 315 7.1 14.04 20.05
1
Mix 1:2.29:2.92 0.6 340 10.1 16.12 23.03
2
Mix 1:1.97:2.6 0.54 380 11.41 20.23 28.9
3
Mix 1:1.61:2.27 0.47 435 16.1 23.87 34.1
4
Mix 1:1.41:2.08 0.43 475 19.03 27.34 39.05
5

19
 Table (4.2): compressive strength results, (crushed gravel)

Mix Mix W/C Cement Cube compressive strength fcu

no. proportions Ratio content(kg/m3) (MPa)
Acc.(Boiling) 7 days 28 days
Mix 1:2.54:3.14 0.65 315 7.3 14.7 21
1
Mix 1:2.29:2.92 0.6 340 10.2 19.72 28.17
2
Mix 1:1.97:2.6 0.54 380 12.53 21.84 31.2
3
Mix 1:1.61:2.27 0.47 435 16.41 24.92 35.6
4
Mix 1:1.41:2.08 0.43 475 19.47 28.7 40.09
5

4.3 EFFECT OF THE TYPE OF COARSE AGGREGATE

Tables (4.1) and (4.2) show the effect the coarse aggregate on the
relationship between the accelerated and normally cured compressive strength, it
is clear that the established relationships between the accelerated and 7-day
compressive strength are logarithmic curve, a similar trend is obtained between
the accelerated and 28-day compressive strength as shown in figures (4.1)
throughout (4.4). this, means that the accelerated compressive strength shows a
good relationship with 7-day and 28-day strength.

20
By examining the tables (4.3) and (4.4), the following observation can be
deduced:

a) The ratio of the accelerated curing compressive strength to the 7-day

strength is raising between 50.5% and 69.6% (normal gravel) while it is
raising between 49.6% and 67.8% (crushed gravel).
b) The ratio of the accelerated curing compressive strength to 28-day strength
is raising between 35.4% and 48.7% (normal gravel), while it is raising
between 34.7% and 48.5% (crushed gravel).
This means that coarse aggregate has a light effect on the ratio between the
accelerated curing strength and both 7 and 28-day strengths.

Because the surface area of the crushed gravel is larger than normal gravel, the
crushed gravel required more water for saturation purpose. Thus, it is found that
the accelerated curing strength of the crushed gravel is more than the normal
gravel.

In general, the ratio of the accelerated to 7- day strength is about 60% while the
ratio of the accelerated to 28- day strength is about 42%. This means that the ratio
of the accelerated to 7-day strength is always higher than ratio of the accelerated
to 28-day.

21
 30

Compressive Strength (MPa)

25

20

15

10 y = 13.689ln(x) - 13.716
R² = 0.9556
5

0
0 5 10 15 20
Accelerated Compressive Strength (MPa)

Figure 4.1

Relation between accelerated compressive strength and 7day

compressive strength (normal gravel)

45
Compressive Strength (MPa)

40
35
30
25
20
y = 19.556ln(x) - 19.597
15
R² = 0.9557
10
5
0
0 5 10 15 20

Accelerated Compressive Strength (MPa)

Figure 4.2

Relation between accelerated compressive strength and 28day

compressive strength (normal gravel)

22
 Compressive Strength (MPa)
35

30

25

20

15

10
y = 13.566ln(x) - 12.224
5 R² = 0.9881

0
0 5 10 15 20 25

Accelerated Compressive Strength (MPa)

Figure 4.3

Relation between accelerated compressive strength and 7day

compressive strength (crushed gravel)

45

40
Compressive Strength (MPa)

35

30

25

20

15 Table (4.3) y = 18.702ln(x) - 15.937

R² = 0.9933
10

5
Table (4.4)

0
0 5 10 15 20 25
Accelerated Compressive Strength (MPa)

Figure 4.4

Relation between accelerated compressive strength and 28day

compressive strength (crushed gravel).

23
 Table (4.3): The ratio of accelerated / normal curing strength (normal gravel)

Mix Mix proportions Cement content Ratio of accelerated / normal curing

No. (kg/m3) Acc/7-day % Acc/28-day %
Mix 1 1:2.54:3.14 315 50.57 35.41

Mix 2 1:2.29:2.92 340 62.66 43.86

Mix 3 1:1.97:2.6 380 56.40 39.48

Mix 4 1:1.61:2.27 435 67.45 47.21

Mix 5 1:1.41:2.08 475 69.60 48.73

Table (4.4): The ratio of accelerated /normal curing strength (crushed gravel)
Mix Mix proportions Cement content Ratio of accelerated / normal curing
No. (kg/m3) Acc/7-day % Acc/28-day %
Mix 1 1:2.54:3.14 315 49.66 34.76

Mix 2 1:2.29:2.92 340 51.72 36.21

Mix 3 1:1.97:2.6 380 57.37 40.16

Mix 4 1:1.61:2.27 435 65.85 46.10

Mix 5 1:1.41:2.08 475 67.84 48.57

24
4.4 EFFECT OF CEMENT CONTENT OF THE MIX:

In general, the compressive strength of concrete for any water / cement ratio is
dependent on the cement content of the mix (Neville A.M 2011)

According to the present study, five mixes of different cement contents were used
starting from 315 kg/m3 up to 475 kg/m3.

Examining the results in tables (4.1) and (4.2), the compressive strength is always
increasing with an increase in cement content in respective to the type of course
aggregate on the age of curing, concerning the accelerated curing, the compressive
strength is always increasing with an increase in cement content.

Examining figures (4.5) and (4.6), it is clear that the highest ratio of the accelerated
to normal curing strength were obtained with an increase in cement content of the
mixes.

25
 Acc/7-day % Acc/28-day %

100.00%
Accelerated / Normal curing strength

90.00%
80.00%
67.45% 69.60%
70.00% 62.66%
60.00% 56.40%
50.57% 48.73%
47.21%
50.00% 43.86%
39.48%
40.00% 35.41%

30.00%
20.00%
10.00%
0.00%
315 340 380 435 475

Cement Content (kg/m³)

Figure 4.5

Relation between accelerated /normal curing strength and cement content (normal gravel)

Acc/7-day % Acc/28-day %

80.00%

70.00% 67.84%
65.85%
Accelerated / Normal curing strength

60.00% 57.37%
51.72%
49.66% 48.57%
50.00% 46.10%
40.16%
40.00% 34.76% 36.21%

30.00%

20.00%

10.00%

0.00%
315 340 380 435 475

Cement Content (kg/m³)

Figure 4.6

Relation between accelerated /normal curing strength and cement content (crushed gravel)

26
4.5 EFFECT OF CEMENT CONTENT OF THE MIX:

The results obtained throughout this study are analyzed and a good
correlation between the accelerated curing strength 7-day and 28-dasy strength has
been obtained. For a designed purpose and within the ranges of the compressive
strength in investigated, figures (4.1) through (4.4) can be used for predicting the
true values of the accelerated strength, once the compressive strength of concrete
is known or vice-versa.

The following table (4.5) represent the regression equations obtained, which can
be useful to predict the 7-day and 28-day strength by using the water boiling
method and when the mixes can be designed with locally available materials.

Table (4.5): Regression Equations

Type of gravel 7-day strength 28-day strength

Normal gravel Y=13.68 ln x-13.71 Y= 19.55 ln x -19.5

Crushed gravel Y= 13.56 ln x – Y= 18.7- ln x -15.9

12.22

27
 Chapter 5
Conclusions and Recommendations

28
5 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 CONCLUSIONS:

The major conclusions drawn from the test results through this study
summarized as follows:

1- A good correlation has been obtained between the accelerated curing

compressive strength and both the 7-days and 28-days strength.

2- The type of the coarse aggregate has a light effect on the ratio of the accelerated
to the 7-day and 28 -day strength.

3- The ratio of the accelerated strength to the 7-day strength is always higher than
that of the accelerated strength to the 28-day strength.

4- For the design purpose and practical applications, the prediction of the 7day and
28-day normal compressive strength may be obtained, once the accelerated curing
strength is known using the figure or equations obtained.

5.2 RECOMMENDATIONS

For future research work, the following topics are recommended:

1- Extending the present work to cover the use of other methods of accelerated
curing test.

2- The use of other types of cements available in Duhok region.

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REFERENCES

1- Acroyd, T.W (1961) “The accelerated curing of concrete test cubes”

journal of the institution of civil Engineers, proceeding VDl. 19. PP. 1-
22.

2- A-M Neville “properties of concrete” 3rd edition, pitman published

London, 1983.

3- ACI comitte recommended practice for selecting proportions for

normal and heavy weight concrete 1977.

4- ASTM standard (2003), “making accelerated curing and testing

concrete compressive test specimens” (C 684 – 03) Annual bank of
ASTM standard.

5- British standards (BSI); 1881 parts (102, 103, 108, 111, 116) (1983).

6- Askari A, Masoods, and Raos. (2014) comparative study of accelerated

and normal curing of silica fume concrete “international journal of
advanced technology and innovation research Vol. 6. Issue. 7 PP 698-
702.

7- Mafhotra, V.M and Zoldners N.G (1969) “some field experience in the
use of an accelerated method of estimating 28-day strength of concrete”
journal of American concrete institute, proceeding Vol.66, No.11.

30
8- Nagaraja, CN and Anan, P.V. (1977) “case study of predicting the 28-
day strength of concrete from accelerated strength test” Indian
concrete journal Vol. 53 PP 127-131.

9- Nai, R (1979). “Utilization of accelerated strength testing methods:

international journal of cement concrete research VOL. 9 No.1.

10- Resheidat M, and Ghanmat S, (1997) “accelerated strength and

testing concrete using blended cement” advanced cement based
materials, VOL. 5, 49-56.

11- Shelke N.L and Gadve S. (2013) “prediction of compressive strength

of concrete using accelerated curing” international journal of pure
and applied research in engineering and technology, VOL.1 , NO. 8.

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